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Saturday, September 26, 2015

"The Entity/ La Entidad" is a Peruvian video diary/found footage horror directed by Eduardo Schuldt. The film stars Rodrigo Falla, Daniella Mendoza, Carlos Casella, Mario Gaviria, and Analú Polanco. The plot revolves around a group of film students whose final project morphs into the exploration of terrifying local urban legend. Synopsis: A group of students discover a terrifying "reaction video" on the internet.
Their search to discover the whereabouts of the video reveal an obscure corner
of cyberspace known as the Dark Web where a curse brings death to all who
witness the video."The Entity" is comparative to the many found footage horror films that play with paranormal themes that Schuldt does manage to bring some exciting and chilling fresh perspective to the genre. The story is a new, creative urban legend that centers around a cemetery and a horrifying backstory that involves a hateful priest, a condemned woman and a vicious demon summoned. The concept does play on familiar and popular themes in this branch of the horror genre, the more classic, Gothic tales of evil begetting evil, but instead of feeling redundant, "The Entity" is entertaining.The cast are very committed to their characters, and give decent performances. There are times when they come off as more "acting" than authentic but it isn't enough to bring down the atmosphere that Eduardo Schuldt creates in "The Entity". Plus there is enough of those reactionary scenes mixed in with the character building moments to keep things thrilling. Some characters are more captivating than others, I was partial toward Benjamin, and Lucas. The special effects are the expected blend of spooky, paranormal CGI and practical gore which really work well in "The Entity". The demon is never defined to the level that becomes hokey, or ridiculous. It actually maintains a creepy, shadowy presence reminiscent of haunting stories. Only you can tell this isn't some vengeful spirit, it is a demonic "thing" that is blood thirsty. The gore is visceral and somewhat celebrated in the scenes surrounding deaths of the doomed cast. A real plus for "The Entity". Overall I enjoyed "The Entity". The very beginning gives an impression of "oh another found footage horror" so I was quick to not think I was going to like the film. However within 20 minutes I was already digging the atmosphere, the themes, and the controlled, well constructed way that Eduardo Schuldt utilizes the blend of video diary, found footage within the "film student" concept. True at times it doesn't quite feel all that compliant with traditional found footage style, the shots aren't as grainy or choppy as you normally get, everything seems pretty HD here and too concise, but the movie was entertaining, thrilling and full of screams and blood so I was happy.

This fall, sink your teeth into Bloodsucking Bastards (aka Bloodsucking Bosses), an action-packed vampire comedy in the vein of Office Space and Shaun of the Dead. Directed by Brian James O’Connell and penned by the popular comedy troupe Dr. God and Ryan Mitts, Bloodsucking Bastards takes audiences on a hilarious, blood-spattered roller coaster ride in the most terrifying locale of all: the American workplace.

Bloodsucking Bastards stars Fran Kranz as Evan Sanders, a low-level, dutiful employee stuck in a boring job at a soul-killing every corporation. Evan’s the kind of guy who does all the work and gets none of the credit, but at least he gets to spend his days with his beautiful co-worker/girlfriend Amanda (Emma Fitzpatrick) and his slacker best friend Tim (Joey Kern), so he soldiers on in the hope of one day getting his coveted sales director position.

Unfortunately, it all falls apart in one fell swoop when Amanda breaks up with him, and Evan’s boss Ted (Joel Murray) hands his promotion to his college nemesis Max (Pedro Pascal). And it isn’t just their sordid past Evan has to deal with. After his fellow office mates start going through disturbing changes (which, paradoxically, make them better employees) and bodies begin to pile up, Evan learns the horrible truth: Max is a vampire. And even worse… a vamp with a plan.

Evan must find a way to stop the evil brewing amidst the cubicles, expose Max as the bloodsucking bastard that he is, and save his pals before his life and career go from dead-end… to just dead.

Bloodsucking Bastards made its world premiere as the opening night film at the Slamdance Film Festival 2015 and has since played at select U.S. cinemas to great audience enthusiasm. The film was produced by Fortress Features (Brett Forbes, Patrick Rizzotti) in association with Maybe This Year Productions (Brandon Evans), Colleen Hard, and Justin Ware.

Vega Baby! Releasing has acquired the rights to Latvian slasher "The Man In The Orange Jacket" for North American distribution. The film is written and directed by Aik Karapetian and stars Anta Aizupe, Maxim Lazarev, Aris Rozentals. "The Man In The Orange Jacket" official VOD and theatrical release date is yet to be announced.A young man is fired from his job at the sea port and begins to stalk his boss and his beautiful wife. After a blood chilling turn of events, he attempts to escape his past by moving into the lavish mansion previously owned by his boss. The embittered young man tries to assume a new identity and lead a luxurious life, but nothing will prepare him for an unsettling visit by a vaguely familiar guest. After that unnerving encounter, the house will no longer be a safe haven, becoming, instead, a twisted and dangerous trap haunted by menacing spirits.Vega, Baby! president and CEO Adam Ripp said "Punctuated with moments of terror, violence and insanity, The Man in the Orange Jacket is an elevated horror film inspired by classics like Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho."

Friday, September 25, 2015

THE BERZERK DEATH DEALER IS A VISUALLY OUTSTANDING ROCK N' ROLL STYLISH ACTION COMIC!THE BERZERK DEATH DEALER is an over the top, ultra stylish action gore fest written and created by Vishal Rajput. KILLER features: A Gothic style similar to the epic film THE CROW fused with a punk rock look, brutal John Woo style gun action, and Vicious hand to hand combat in the vein of the Anime FIST OF THE NORTH STAR.

Young Diablo is one bad-ass dude that is armed to the teeth with his scythe guitar and punk rock guns killing in style with his loyal dog, Rockabella. As the number one assassin for the Demon Clan, he's got 99,999 heads to prove it. He can smoke a joint in one puff, drain a beer bottle in one gulp, and talk trash better than anyone. When he gets going, his blades sing, his fists fly, and his enemies' heads explode.

His demonic master, Basilisk, has plans for Diablo -- but everything changes when Diablo discovers his humanity after saving the life of a young mother. Now Basilisk is out to destroy Diablo, with the help of a new protégé -- Amon, a ruthless assassin formed from the souls of 1,000 serial killers.

“We never thought we’d say this, but we are so happy to have CRABS!” stated Raven Banner Managing Partner Michael Paszt.

Referring of course to the distribution company's recent acquisition of the film "Crabs", written and directed by Pierce Berolzheimer, for worldwide rights, which was featured in the current edition of The Frontieres International Work-in-Progress Market. They will also serve as executive producers.

Described as a love letter to practical effects and old-school monster movies, the film follows wheelchair-bound Philip McCallister, an unlikely hero just trying to get a date for prom when mutated horseshoe crabs descend on his sleepy coastal town and force him to step out of the wheelchair and onto the battlefield.

The deal was negotiated by Noah Lang and Evan Buxbaum and Raven Banner’s James Fler, Annick Mahnert, and Michael Paszt.

Producer Lang from Young Gunner Films said, “Raven Banner’s reputation as hungry, filmmaker-friendly, and transparent partners precedes them in the independent filmmaking world; and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have them on board to finish CRABS! The Frontières Market has been an invaluable asset to us, and this partnership is evidence of the value of showcasing and supporting young genre filmmakers like Pierce. We look forward to giving the world CRABS! in 2016.”

An official release date has been announced for Robert Eggers "The Witch". The film will be released on February 26th 2016. "The Witch" stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, Lucas Dawson.

In this exquisitely made and terrifying new horror film, the age-old concepts of witchcraft, black magic and possession are innovatively brought together to tell the intimate and riveting story of one family’s frightful unraveling in the New England wilderness circa 1630.

New England, 1630. Upon threat of banishment by the church, an English farmer leaves his colonial plantation, relocating his wife and five children to a remote plot of land on the edge of an ominous forest — within which lurks an unknown evil. Strange and unsettling things begin to happen almost immediately — animals turn malevolent, crops fail, and one child disappears as another becomes seemingly possessed by an evil spirit. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, family members accuse teenage daughter Thomasin of witchcraft, charges she adamantly denies. As circumstances grow more treacherous, each family member’s faith, loyalty and love become tested in shocking and unforgettable ways.

Writer/director Robert Eggers’ debut feature, which premiered to great acclaim at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival — winning the Best Director Prize in the U.S. Narrative Competition — painstakingly recreates a God-fearing New England decades before the 1692 Salem witch trials, in which religious convictions tragically turned to mass hysteria. Told through the eyes of the adolescent Thomasin — in a star-making turn by newcomer Anya Taylor-Joy — and supported by mesmerizing camera work and a powerful musical score, THE WITCH is a chilling and groundbreaking new take on the genre.

Brand
New Director’s Cut of ‘Young, High and Dead’ is being screened
free online for horror fans this Sunday at 7:00pm (UK BST - or
11:00am PDT). Plus there will be a live Q&A session after the
screening with writer/director Luke Brady.

Rum
Punch Productions & Beyond The Gore are pleased to announce that
Young,
High and Dead (YHAD)
has received a brand new edit for 2015 along with a new poster (see
attached) by Ryan Woodhouse and to celebrate they are holding a live
screening this Sunday - 27th September at 7:00pm followed by a live
Q&A with writer/director Luke Brady. You can follow the event
with the hashtag #THMassacre to ask questions about YHAD or Luke’s
new film project ‘The Highridge Massacre’ is set to air on
CryptTV.com’s online horror channel.

Synopsis:
A camping trip descends into chaos when a group of friends pitch up
next to the grave of a local missing child.
As the killer watches them
it’s not long before a night of drink and drugs turns into a waking
nightmare when the group awake in the early hours to find they have
been shackled and chained to trees. Will the group stick together and
exit the forest alive? Or will the killer leave them all Young, High
and Dead?

****

Director’s
statement: Luke Brady

When
YHAD was first released in 2013 it received some amazing reviews and
the feedback was generally positive but deep down I knew that the
overall pacing and structure could be improved and this began to gnaw
away at me. A few minor alterations were not going to work, I felt I
needed to be really aggressive with YHAD so I took a meat cleaver to
the film and chopped the whole thing to pieces. It was a messy
experience and a lot of chunks were left on the cutting room floor
but I ended up with a new version of the film that is a lot closer to
the original story I wanted to tell. I call it the dirty cut because
it’s even more gritty and raw than before.

I
hope people enjoy the new cut of Young, High and Dead.

****

Luke
is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for his new web series
called The Highridge Massacre which follows on from the story of
Young, High and Dead. He is trying to raise £2500 by October the 2nd
and is currently at just over %60 of the target.

You
can find out more information about the project and the rewards that
are on offer by clicking the link below.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Trailer no. 2 has been released for Norwegian horror "Villmark 2 / Dark Woods". The film is directed by Pål Øie and stars Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Baard Owe and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen. "Villmark 2" is due out in Norway on October 9th. Hopefully the international and North American releases aren't far behind.

An abandoned sanatorium is deteriorating in a remote forest in the mountains. The building is going to be demolished, and five contractors have taken on the task of inspecting the enormous building for hazardous materials. While attempting to shut off the water, they are led into a dark basement labyrinth. They soon find themselves face to face with the sanatoriums gruesome past.

Check out the 2015 official trailer for "Hidden" directed by Matt Duffer. The film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Andrea Riseborough, and Emily Alyn Lind. "Hidden" hits DVD shelves October 6th, the film can currently be watched VOD at Amazon.A family survives underground for 301 days as an ominous entity lurks above ground. Supplies are running low, and the danger is growing nearer so the family must find a way to stay hidden.

Upon its release, The Human Centipede became a cultural sensation. On October 27, 2015, get ready to experience the “complete sequence” of the infamous Human Centipede series with the release of The Human Centipede: The Complete Sequence on Blu-ray from Scream Factory, in partnership with IFC Midnight.

Directed by Tom Six and starring Eric Roberts, Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Laurence R. Harvey, and Maddi Black, the scandalous The Human Centipede: The Complete Sequence features the unrated director’s cuts of all three films and comes loaded with bonus features, including new featurettes The Ladies of the Human Centipedes and The Making of The Human Centipede 3, new audio commentary with director Tom Six, the new color version of The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence), interviews with Tom Six, casting tapes, deleted scenes, an alternate ending, behind-the-scenes footage and set tours, foley sessions, theatrical trailers, and more!

The Human Centipede: The Complete Sequence Bonus Features

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) Unrated Director’s Cut:

NEW The Ladies of the Human Centipedes featurette–new interviews with Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, Maddi Black, and Kandace Caine

'Ash VS Evil Dead' is probably the most anticipated and buzz worthy series hitting TV and Streaming this Fall. The series kicks some deadite ass on Halloween night via Starz at 9pm. Check out this BTS featurette and meet the full cast of 'Ash VS Evil Dead'.

The series stars Bruce Campbell, Jill Marie Jones, Ray Santiago, Dana Delorenzo, and Lucy Lawless. Episode 1 of the 9 episode season is directed by creator Sam Raimi.“Ash vs Evil Dead” follows Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

James Cullen Bressack and Arena Cinema’s CAMPFIRE series kicks off October 10th
with the original I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE

Saturday October 10th at Midnight,
we invite you to attend Arena Cinema's new monthly event CAMPFIRE at Arena
Cinema curated by Director James Cullen Bressack. Pre-Reception in Arena
Courtyard at 10:45PM.

Special introduction by James Cullen Bressack
before the screening. I Spit On Your Grave is the controversial 1978 cult
classic rape and revenge film. The film received a limited release, with a wider
release in 1980. Prominent film critics condemned the film for its graphic
violence, nudity, obscene language, and lengthy depictions of gang rape, and the
motion picture remains controversial to this day; even considered as being among
the worst ever made. The film was named in 2010 one of Time's Top 10
Ridiculously Violent Movies. It was remade that same year.

The official trailer has been released for indie drama/thriller "Manson Family Vacation". The film is directed by J. Davis and starsJay Duplass, Linas Phillips, Tobin Bell, Leonora Pitts, Davie-Blue. "Manson Family Vacation will be released VOD/ digital platforms such as iTunes on October 6th. It will debut on Netflix October 27th. "Nick Morgan (Jay Duplass) has it all: a loving family, a beautiful home and a successful law practice in Los Angeles. His estranged brother Conrad (Linas Phillips) has nothing but a backpack. When Conrad shows up for a surprise visit, all he wants to do in town is go to the infamous Manson Family murder sites. Reluctantly, Nick joins him and ends up on a road trip that leads the brothers into the modern-day world of Charles Manson.

CW announced plans to bring Clive Barker's "Weaveworld" to the small screen. The horror/fantasy series will see Barker as Executive Producer. Jack Kenney of 'Warehouse 13' has signed on for writing duties.

CW's television adaptation centers around an app designer in this contemporary update to the 1987 novel. The app designer teams up with a pastry chef who has discovered her true identity as guardian to a mythical realm. Together they fight an epic battle against evil forces for control of the magical realm.

The official trailer and release details have been released for ultra-indie (made up word) horror film "Children Of The Night". The cult thriller is directed by Ivan Noel and starsAna Maria Giunta, Toto Munoz, and Lauro Veron. "Children Of The Night" hits DVD/Blu-ray/VOD on October 6th courtesy of Artsploitation Films. A secluded colony of child vampires come under attack from vengeful villagers in this darkly funny horror tale by Argentinean filmmaker Ivan Noel. A journalist visits a secluded orphanage where children suffer from an unknown skin disease. She soon learns that they are in fact not children, but vampires aging from 4 to 120 years old who have been bitten at an early age and forever remain in that physical state. They are led and protected by a strange and deeply religious ex-nurse whose destiny in life is to find these “lost souls” and raise them in her sanctuary. Through religious teachings, nocturnal rituals, and the occasional visit to local towns for fresh human blood, she keeps them safe – that is, until a cultish band of men from a nearby village plot to destroy the refuge. Now the children, headed by the 90-year-old grandson of Count Dracula, must defend their way of life.

Check out the 80's styled retro poster and first official trailer for upcoming slasher comedy "The Final Girls". The film is directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson and stars Taissa Farmiga, Nina Dobrev, Adam DeVine, Alexander Ludwig, Angela Trimbur, Alia Shawkat, Tory N. Thompson, and Thomas Middleditc. "The Final Girls" will be released VOD and limited theatrical release on October 9th.When Max and her friends reluctantly attend a screening of "Camp Bloodbath," an infamous ‘80s cult horror film that starred Max’s late mother, they are accidentally sucked into the silver screen. They soon realize they’re trapped inside the movie and must team up with the horny, regan-era idiot “Camp Bloodbath” counselors -- including Max’s mom as the shy scream queen -- to battle the film’s machete-wielding killer, Billy Murphy. Face to face with her mother for the first time in years, Max has a second chance not only to see her, but to save her, and with the help of her friends, get back home before Billy kills them all.

The international trailer has been released for upcoming Danish horror "What We Become". The film is directed by Bo Mikkelsen and starsMille Dinesen, Troels Lyby, Benjamin Engell, and Marie Hammer Boda. "What We Become" is Mikkelsen's feature film firectorial debut. The summer is shaping up to be perfect for the Johansson family. The weather is gorgeous, and the community warm and friendly. Even teenaged Gustav is feeling good about life in general, thanks to the new girl who has just moved in across the street. But this perfect suburban life is abruptly shattered by the arrival of a mysterious virus. Unexplained deaths are followed by panic and a full lockdown, families sealed into their homes by patrolling bio-suited soldiers. With things quickly escalating and no information forthcoming, it isn’t long before Gustav takes matters into his own hands.

Rob Zombie is teaming up with comedy "it" chick Mila Kunis for new horror comedy series for Starz Network. The series is titled "Trapped" andwill be written by Joey Slamon. Rob Zombie is slated to direct while Kunis is on as executive producer. "Trapped" will revolve around a family trapped in their home by a murderous cult. The events will take place over a single night.

"She Kills" is grindhouse meets camp with a dose of sexually transmitted trash cinema all in a wonderfully tacky attempt to celebrate all the good and bad of b-movie, drive-in cult film genre. The film is directed by Ron Bonk and stars Jennie Russo, Trey Harrison, Michael Merchant, Jody Pucello, David Royal, Martha Zemsta. "She Kills" follows a young woman who finds the power to overcome tragedy. Of course that power comes from her pussy which drives all men, who get a whiff, wild and hungry. Synopsis:Sadie's life is destroyed when a vicious gang called 'The Touchers' targets her for their sadistic fantasies after witnessing her sexy but innocent naked frolicking in a nearby field. On her wedding night they attack her and her husband Edward, brutalizing both of them. But during the attack the virgin bride discovers a dangerous secret about her body - she is cursed with the legendary 'Fire Crotch,' a condition where Satan has laid claim to her vagina. After visiting her fortune teller friend Casparella, a space exorcism is attempted on her meat flaps, but it only ends up unlocking secret hidden powers inside her. Her hatchet wound becomes lethal, her most deadly weapon in her thirst for revenge against The Touchers and her fight against lustful men everywhere!Ron Bonk's story is a hilarious ride into insanity, and sexuality. "She Kills" takes all the character flaws that fans of cult cinema celebrate in the b-movie genre, mixes it with a heavy dose of campy tasteless fun, and pops out an unhealthy amount of fun, tacky, gory awesomeness. Honestly I think this may very well be the first time I have seen camp and trash cinema from a straight man's point of view. Normally John Waters' movies, and the few new indie directors in the LGBT community are the ones who bring these awesome blends of style, and humor together in such an over-the-top way-and make it work. I laughed a lot while watching this movie. Everything is so visual, spoofy, and insane. Ron Bonk "goes there" in his play on the whole "revenge kill", grindhouse genre.The special effects in "She Kills" are cheap, practical effects that are obviously cheap, but the way that they are used it doesn't matter. They are meant to be seen as cheap, practical, gory, and gross. The special effects, music, and cinematography style that Bonk goes with in this cult cinema comedy are all meant to be exactly what you see on screen, and it is all just fun, cheeky, entertaining madness. Overall "She Kills" is a great indie flick for the spoof, grindhouse/trash cinema fans who really dig the cheap and tacky stuff. It is a film that I will have on my shelf and watch over and over. Now this is not gonna appeal to the straight laced, serious grindhouse, revenge cult cinema movie goer, because everything is just so over-the-top, and yes you can even say - "shticky". Still I feel everyone should check out "She Kills" out. It will make you laugh, gag, and above all else you will be entertained.

Solo Films and
Jinga Films have announced the UK DVD and digital release of Eduardo Schuldt's
supernatural horror THE ENTITY with a street date of
October 5th 2015.

Combining
elements of Paranormal Activity and The Ring THE ENTITY follows four
students who discover a terrifying "reaction video" on the internet in
which the participants have all died in mysterious circumstances. Their search
to discover the whereabouts of the video reveal an obscure corner of cyberspace
known as the Dark Web where a curse brings death to all who witness the
video.

The first Peruvian horror film to gain
international recognition THE ENTITY received its World premiere at
FrightFest and has since been selected for Cambridge Film Festival and Bram
Stoker Film Festival in UK, Grossmann Fantastic Film Festival in Slovenia and
Sitges in Spain.

New York based distributor Film
Movement will release THE ENTITY in North America in
2016.

Happy Autumn Equinox or for all the Wiccans of the Northern Hemisphere- Blessed Mabon! The holiday of the autumnal equinox, Mabon, is a Pagan ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three Pagan harvest festivals, preceded by Lammas / Lughnasadh and followed by Samhain. Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World. You can read more about Mabon here, and see my past posts on the holiday here and here. But now I want to talk about this year. I stretched out my Mabon festivities to include the 20-23. I started on the 20th with decorating my altar, then cooking my go-to country meal of farm-harvested goods (Beans, cornbread, potatoes & onions, collard greens, sour kraut w/sausage). This year I also let this be the start to my Samhain/Halloween decorating. I pulled out my totes of Halloween decorations after eating my meal, lighting my altar, and doing my blessing/meditation ritual. After I finished decorating for the day I set out to light my small bonfire to kick off the Mabon celebration. I placed a hand written prayer request and devotional to the gods along with incense, dried flowers, which sat on a bed of juniper and cedar greenery. I reflected on my offerings and desires as the fire burned and the small orange embers danced in the night sky. I had a few dark lagers and a modest joint to really get into the spirit.

After the first night I felt the bliss of Mabon wash over me and after a few horror films and some television I went to bed. The remaining days leading up to the official Autumnal equinox I spent continuing my Halloween decorating. With only a few things left to do to complete my tasks, ( a few lights on the bushes, some spider webbing, and a couple more lawn pieces) we now have the first official day of Fall upon us. Tonight I will light my bigger bonfire. I have already done my morning altar lighting and offerings. I recited my daily prayers to the gods with an extra Mabon devotional added. I did some meditation. Each year my exploration into my Pagan spirituality leads me down the same cleansing and rewarding path, sometimes the journey differs a bit as I had or alter traditional tasks for each of the holidays and gods festival days. Often I pull in traditions from ancient cultural beliefs from around the world, both ancient and modern. I have found a wonderful anchor in my traditions and developed a stronger spiritual foundation that is both freeing and grounding. Blessed Mabon celebrations to everyone.